If you are looking for an alternative shelter for your property, there are many options available. I picked some of my favorite alternative housing options for consideration when planning a bug out home, storage unit or improvised shelter.
Shipping Containers
Shipping containers cost a little bit more than some of the other methods mentioned in this post, however their durability more than makes up for the cost. some amazing homes have been built out of shipping containers.
More
http://zerocabin.com/?m=200804
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/23/ross-stevens-new-zealand-container-house/
Straw Bale
Building structures using straw bales can be surprisingly affordable, and a lot more comfortable that you might think. A wide variety of structures can be created with the help of straw, everything from a small storage unit to a large family home.
More
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/energy-efficiency/straw-bale-house.htm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/how-to-straw-bale-house.php
http://www.strawbale.com/ (Credit for the last picture)
http://www.solarhaven.org/NewStrawbale.htm
Pallet Home
Pallets are cheap or free in most places, so it’s no wonder they have become popular materials in alternative building. Your house won’t be a fortress, but it would certainly work for temporary survival.
More
http://www.i-beamdesign.com/projects/refugee/refugee.html
http://www.tinypallethouse.com/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pallet-House-to-Save-the-World-or-a-garden-shed/
Earth Berm
You don’t have to be a hobbit to have a house like one. People all over the world have utilized earth berm home building for it’s amazing cost, insulation and protection from the weather.
More
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/the-hobbit-house-a-quiet-revolution/
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/lost-middle-class-tribes-secret-eco-village-in-wales-spotted-in-aerial-photograph-taken-by-plane/ http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm
Earth bag
Using earth bags to build a home is one of the oldest methods for creating a shelter. Dirt insulates well, is everywhere and usually won’t cost you a dime. While an earth bag structure can be very durable, they have less durability than many other types of structures.
More
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/energy-efficiency/earthbag-home.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/build-earthbag-home
http://www.ehow.com/how_4748646_build-insulated-earthbag-home.html
Recycled Bottles
The green revolution has spouted several building types that would normally be ignored. The recycled bottle structure is an eco-friendly and beautifully unique type of home. And of course, the materials are very and cheap and possibly free.
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/house-plastic-bottles/2456
http://www.instructables.com/id/New-Innovation-in-Construction-using-Waste-Plastic/
http://www.instructables.com/id/House-in-Mexico-built-with-plastic-and-glass-bottl/
Geodesic Domes
The dome has always been a powerful structure considering it’s relatively cheap cost and simple building process. The open space in domes helps air flow throughout the house, giving it a very consistent temperature. Domes are also very resistant to wind and heavy snow because of their uniform strength. You could buy or build a geodesic dome in almost no time at all.
More
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/07/how_to_make_a_geodesic_do.html
http://www.byexample.com/projects/current/dome_construction
http://www.instructables.com/id/Geodesic-Dome-Greenhouse/
Free Spirit Spheres
What do you get when you mix tree houses and spheres? You get one awesome looking “free spirit sphere”, aka the tree house for adults. While they’re pricey compared do a DIY project, a free spirit sphere could be a great getaway cabin or backup housing unit.
More
http://www.freespiritspheres.com
Tree house
The kid in all of us has dreamed of having an amazing treehouse, complete with all the necessities of living. Some pretty amazing (and hidden) tree houses can be made with limited budget and training.
More
http://www.balewatch.com/ http://weburbanist.com/2008/02/10/10-amazing-tree-houses-from-around-the-world-sustainable-unique-and-creative-designs/
http://freshome.com/2008/01/08/top-8-most-amazing-tree-houses/
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A few of those look 'shopped.
You can tell by the pixels, right?
And from seeing quite a few shops in his time
And because he's seen a few in his time, of course
which? out of interest
This is a great post. I would have never thought to use some of the materials listed here, such as the bottles. I'm also glad you introduced some new great alternatives =]
I have to admit these are some ingenious ideas. Some of the materials used, I too would never have thought of. I love these posts. I do wish that in some of the tree house posts they had shown more of the inside design.
does anybody know where to get plans or outlines on how to do somethin like this?
Safety first.. just kidding. Awesome!.
You miss the point.
The difficulty is not in finding materials to build a home but in finding a place to put them where you won't be attacked by officialdom, road builders or pop-fans.
I am seriously interested in the bottle type house… maybe a bottle greenhouse.. My husband loves beer and it wouldnt take long to build up an abundance of his beer bottles.. weekly.. can you water proof a house of bottles.. how..
That's classic! I bet it wouldn't take long for a lot of people to build up enough empty bottles for one.. myself included. ;) I would guess that if you sealed off the little spaces in between the bottles with some kind of clear sealant it would do the job just fine.
Think about school busses! I have lived in one for the past 6 years while going back to college and grad school. They are similar in size to the containers, but have panoramic windows. They are easy to gut and modify to live in. Lots of school busses and ideas here: http://www.skoolie.net. You can see my bus at the Paradigm Shift link attached in the posting.
Thank you Congressman Ryan. I think in the House yourself and Congressman Ron Paul are the only two, besides Congressman Kucinich who put the People first. Please run for President! Those lifelong politicians should be listening to you – you embody people our age, I know, I’m one of them!
Shipping containers get really hot, the hay & earth bags are a stupid idea (Joplin; Mo., Ohio)
<img src=http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/0607-ohio-tornado-damage/8078881-1-eng-US/0607-ohio-tornado-damage_full_600.jpg>
Haybale houses are very well insulated, the nature of the materials ensures that, they don't get over hot and are easy to heat in the winter. The shipping containers can be insulated too, against both hot and cold, as well as having windows cut into them for air flow. Earth bag houses and the 'dugout' type again tend to be well insulated against the elements and keep an even temp. Living in NZ the only thing I would be very conscious of is what is the earthquake rating.
Yeah…the container idea is actually very simple to plan and can be insulated around the outer perimeter in a very cost effective manner. Those who otherwise could never afford a conventional home ….can have a home…
These are so cool, I would love to live in something this creative, if just for a little while!
This is so cool and inspiring. Id love to design and live in one of these some day.
earth ships are awesome…
i am also interested in Chinese Hakka designs…
for retreat architecture, i suggest CEMENT TIRE BRICKS:
1. old used tires…the outer part of the tire, where the air goes, filled with cement.
2. once the tire brick's are "layed", like a brick, fill the inner "donut hole" part with rammed earth or more cement.
lay several rows of bricks to make very thick walls.
also, check out cement cloth/fabric. man carry-able sized rolls, cut to size, pour water over it, 24 hours …presto!
sandbags are great for defense, use cement bricks/cement cloth/and sandbags together for a cheap bunker, expedient fallout shelter. check into berming.
very interesting site. If anyone in Tampa Bay wants to build two alternative houses on a track of land e-mail me, and on the subject line, list best time for me to call you back. bhcompound@gmail.com
simply wonderful, please continue
The 5th and 6th pictures are fakes.
I imagine he is referring to the architectural renderings, or what the building 'will look like' on site. Mostly the shipping container posts.